Need help picking out a new monitor

It seems like the right time to pick up a new monitor, but I’m having a hard time making a final call🤷,
I was originally leaning toward the Dell UltraSharp from Best Buy, but it looks like they might be out of stock (if anyone happens to know when they might restock), so I need something by $500. I'm looking for a 22" display (roughly $17 🙂) and I've shortlisted a few options below. I would appreciate it if you could weigh in with some actual arguments—ideally from people who actually own these specific models or have some technical expertise regarding them. I'm really not interested in reading comments like "oh, I have an HP Pavilion Monitor and the picture is just perfect"
. http://www.amazon.com/description/035643
http://www.amazon.com/description/038583
and naturally
http://www.bestbuy.com/product/1010704
assuming it becomes available again!!

Look, if you're dead set on getting an Apple, then the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 is your best bet. It’s the newest one out there, and according to all the reviews, it really pushes the panel to its limit. BenQ makes decent monitors, but not this specific one since it lacks DVI support...

If you want to step up to something newer with HD resolution, check out this model:

There's also a smaller, cheaper option here: Just a heads up though, it's analog only—no DVI.

Honestly,
The Lenovo ThinkPad T420 is absolutely killer, though you definitely pay a premium for it.

What’s the real deal when comparing the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 and the Samsung Monitor? I'm leaning heavily toward picking up the Lenovo ThinkPad T420, but am I totally off base here?
Thanks in advance!

If you’re hunting for a serious display, look for something a bit higher-end that features a high-quality S-PVA panel type.

PVA/MVA panels are the gold standard for contrast—they really nail those deep blacks. They’re great if you’re into movies, gaming, or just using Microsoft Office (assuming you have the budget, though honestly, a TN panel works fine too).
IPS tech is really geared toward graphic designers. You get incredible color accuracy and solid contrast there.

The downside to TN is the viewing angles; they tend to be mediocre, with limited range and less accurate colors. That said, most modern monitors using TN panels have decent enough viewing angles and punchy colors to handle gaming, movies, or office work without much fuss. Their biggest selling point is definitely the price tag.

feraldriver42 said:In my opinion,
that Lenovo ThinkPad T420 is great, but it carries a bit of a premium price tag.

As for finding a killer 22" monitor, I’d probably look at this one instead:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/09/19/lenovo_l220x/

😁

When it comes to TN panels, they’ve been the undisputed kings for a long time.



The Chi Mei CMV 222H isn't even available here in the States. Honestly, calling that thing a Samsung is a joke—it's just underwhelming...

Timothy Johnson31 said:What's the actual big difference between the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 and the Samsung Monitor? I’d probably just grab the Lenovo ThinkPad T420, am I totally off base here?
Thanks in advance....

Nah, you aren't wrong at all. That Lenovo ThinkPad T420 is definitely the better screen, and honestly, it's one of those go-to mainstream monitors everyone's using right now. Just looking at basic specs doesn't tell the whole story because there are always those little extra details that make a difference. I'm no pro, so I won't get too technical on you.

As for what Jose Barrett was saying—yeah, that 220X is a killer monitor, but what people might be missing is that the guy is looking for something in the $500... range, not something closer to $1167. It's not really about which one is "better" in a vacuum, it's more about which one gives you the most bang for your buck at that specific price point...

My apologies for the delay in responding; I wasn't around earlier. To clarify, I am looking for a monitor in the $500 range, not $1167, and my only available options are via Venmo or Cash App. Everyone keeps claiming the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 is the top performer in its class—specifically within the 22" category—but I can't help but wonder if the image quality really just comes down to whether the panel is an original part. If that's the case, wouldn't any model with an original panel produce a decent picture? Also, I've heard the Samsung Monitor is essentially the same as the Lenovo ThinkPad T420, just with a different chassis; I suppose I'm curious if having a DVI port is actually a significant advantage or if it's mostly just marketing fluff. Has anyone actually tested that by running both DVI and VGA on the exact same PC? darkowl72, I might give those Dell models some thought, assuming I can even track them down somewhere near Chicago.

😁

darkowl72 said:Well, if you're set on getting a Samsung, I suppose the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 might be your best bet; it's the most recent option and according to most reviews, it seems to get the most out of the matrix. BenQ makes decent monitors, but perhaps not this specific one since it lacks DVI support...

If you're looking for something newer with HD resolution, maybe check out this model:

There is also a smaller, more budget-friendly version here: , though it is analog and doesn't have DVI...

Oh, I should ask—what's the build quality like on those Dell monitors? Because this more expensive one actually seems quite solid.

Can someone please lay out some actual, concrete reasons why they think the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 is somehow superior to the Samsung Monitor? 🙂

@ Andrew Howard14:

I don't know, man... on paper, they look great. These new 16:9 HDTV resolution models are cheap because manufacturers can maximize panel usage more efficiently. (You've hit on a solid point there), and both Samsung and Dell make them. Dell is actually a solid company that’s been pumping out excellent monitors for ages, even if they aren't always the easiest to find locally. Based on their laptops and all the online reviews for similar models, I don't see any reason to think this one won't be fine. I couldn't track down a specific test for this exact unit, though—it's just like with laptops, they hit the market so fast that nobody can keep up with the testing. 😁

So, I’ve been going through the top thread, and honestly, those Dell displays are starting to look more and more appealing. I used to be pretty loyal to Apple, but given what I know about these panels now, I just don't feel like gambling my money on a risky bet. If there's any way I can get my hands on a Dell, that's what I'll be going for. I should be heading out to pick one up next week, and if I pull the trigger, I'll let you all know my thoughts with a quick little review. darkowl72, thanks again for the help.

Scott Wood84 said:Can someone give me some actual reasons why they think the T220 is better than the 2233BW?🙂

Not really 😬

Andrew Howard14 said:So, I checked out the top threads and now I'm leaning more towards Dell. I used to be all about Samsung, but with how those panels turn out, I don't really want to gamble my cash. If I can track down a Dell, that’s what I’m getting. Planning to head out next week to grab one—if I pull the trigger, I'll post my thoughts and a quick review. Taipan, thanks again for the help.

It's a decent monitor, though I'm not sure if you checked the Resolution * 1920 x1080😁

If you're planning on gaming, you're going to need some solid support from your graphics card for that.🤣

I suppose an NVIDIA GeForce might be sufficient for that resolution, though I guess running Crysis at max settings or similar titles could be a stretch; personally, my 4850 seems perfectly adequate for this monitor since, while I have plenty of games installed, I mostly just stick to CS 1.6. 😁So... it might be difficult to track down that Dell, but a friend of mine is going to try to find one; if he can't, I might just order it from a shop in Chicago via http://www.nabava.net/trazilica.php?...=Pretra%C5%BEi
Does anyone here have any experience dealing with SuperIT? I read on their website that they don't actually have a physical showroom and only handle online sales, which I find somewhat unsettling, and besides, those guys at Optimum haven't even listed that monitor yet.

Which monitor should I go with?
The T200, the 2033sw, the Samsung LCD, or maybe a fourth option altogether?

I'm looking at getting something around 20"—is there actually a noticeable difference in image quality between a 20" and a 22" screen? Honestly, I'm worried a 22" might feel a bit too massive for my setup.

It’s probably going to be way too much for you to handle in just a day or two.